How to Paint Concrete Floors in the Kitchen & Living Room
- 1). Remove the furniture. Use masking tape and protective plastic sheeting to mask off the bottom 8 to 10 inches of the walls, cabinets and other features that join the floor to protect them from the paint.
- 2). Ventilate the work area by opening windows or running exhaust fans. The cleaners and paint used in this project produce strong odors.
- 3). Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove dirt and dust. Mop or scrub the floor with mineral spirits to remove stains, wax, grease and oil.
- 4). Wear protective gloves, goggles and long clothing when working with acids. Add one part muriatic acid to three parts water in a plastic bucket. This creates a mildly acidic solution.
- 5). Spread the acidic solution over the concrete floor with a mop or scrub brush. Allow the solution to work for 15 minutes, and then rinse the surface with a mop or brush dampened in clean water. The acid will etch the surface, making it slightly rough and more accepting of the paint. Remove all acid and allow the surface to dry before continuing.
- 6). Mix the two parts of the epoxy floor paint together, following manufacturer's instructions. This type of paint requires no primer and can withstand foot traffic for years.
- 7). Cut around all fixtures and walls with a synthetic paintbrush. Fill in the rest of the floor with a medium- or long-nap paint roller. Apply three coats of paint, ensuring that each one dries completely before starting the next coat. Allow the final coat to dry completely before removing the tape from the walls and allowing foot traffic.
